On Thursday, the city of Tiburon and city of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting with all sides reacting to the incident. FYI, we didnt realize that when he was circling the block he was calling for back up. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Tiburon police sergeant resigns amid racial, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Tiburon police sergeant resigns amid racial profiling claims, Letters: Plethora of problems | Creating AL | Provenance of woke | Teen girls | Public bank. Blasi stepped in and was recorded arguing with Khalif while the patrol officer and a Belvedere officer stood by. If I tell you its my store, then what? Khalif responded. At one point he stopped across our store for a good minute. Tiburon police records show that no one called police about suspicious activity at the store, and no alarms had been set off. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. The former chief, Michael Cronin, retired in September after a public backlash over an incident involving two Black store owners. Awash noted they had been in the shop until about 2 or 3 a.m. the day before. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. A place where Ive lived for nine and a half years? Yesterday was one of those days. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. Tiburon police officers are trained and held to the highest standards of conduct. TIRURON, Calif. (KRON) Tiburon police sergeant Michael Blasi has resigned after video of the encounter between Tiburon police officers and a Black store owner raised concerns, according. If you have a problem, you tell me . Your email address will not be published. A video of the incident that Awash recorded was widely shared on social media, and the town released police body-camera footage. Michael Blasi, becoming more frustrated and confrontational with Khalif, who also appears exasperated with the interaction, as the minutes go by. Community members pointed out Cronin had only issued a warning for the protest in Marin City, which is 61 percent non-white, including 38 percent Black, and had issued no such warnings for similar peaceful protests in other nearby predominantly white communities, including Mill Valley. I had to prove my house, street and number, and I had to prove that I lived in Tiburon, Khalif said. today at a #BlackLivesMatter rally in response to a standoff in which Sgt. 49K views 2 years ago Tiburon has released footage from a police officer's body-worn camera of a controversial Friday night confrontation between police and a Black business owner who was. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. It looked like they were harassing him and I thought, This has gone on for several minutes. It just felt like it was going to progress into something ugly., Khalif called the fact that the situation was diffused by a white neighbor yelling down to vouch for him the icing on the cake., A Black man cannot be in this space in this particular hour and say, Im OK, no need to be talking to you, move along. He also holds a masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Despite resigning, Blasi will cooperate with an independent investigation led by a lawyer the town retained, Chanis said. I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning," says the supervisor. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Other downtown business owners rallied around the couple, saying theyve never been questioned by police while working late into the evening, past closing time, including Chelsea Ialeggio, a real-estate agent who said she has had offices in town with both Frank Howard Allen and now at Vanguard Properties. Whatever the intention of the responding offices, the interchange inappropriately deteriorated from helpful to confrontational, Fredericks wrote in an email sent to the community. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. Town Manager Greg Chanis said Blasi has had several conversations with town officials since the incident. Monaghans collaborative approach and demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful community engagement really set him apart from other candidates, Chanis said. Matthew Tom has been working as a homepage editor at SFGATE since 2006. Other people defended the police actions, denying that there was any racial motivation behind the interaction and saying Khalif was in the wrong. First hired by the Belvedere Police Department in 2017, Blasi is considered a supervisor in Tiburon, where he earns an annual salary of $99,888 with a $20,324 benefits package. Comment at the meeting, or in advance by emailing comments@townoftiburon.org. Email: mtom@sfgate.com. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Is it your store? It is clear that did not occur in this instance.. Khalif and Awash said Cronin had not reached out to them directly in the aftermath of the incident. Monaghans starting annual salary is $195,000, which is 3% less than Cronins salary, Chanis said. After Floyds death and ahead of a peaceful June 2 protest in Marin City, Cronin sparked outrage among the community after he issued a statement warning residents to be wary should the demonstration become violent or lead to looting on the Tiburon Peninsula neither of which happened. At the 10-minute mark, Madfes chimes in again: Prove to us you have keys or , There you go, thats the perfect thing, Blasi says as Khalif removes something from his pocket. How safe is your neighborhood? I sat in on these interviews, but did not participate, Chanis said. The Aug. 21 incident is the second time in recent months the Tiburon Police Department has come under public scrutiny for its response to racial issues in the wake of the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests across the country, including several in Tiburon. Really? Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith were fired on Jan. 20 after an administrative investigation found they had violated department policy on the. An officers observations of perceived race, sex and age are standard when reporting in to dispatchers, as well as in logs and police reports. Grime died in a hospital two days later. Persons seeking assistance need only lift the phone to be connected with a dispatcher. They refused to leave until I proved it, Khalif said in the post. Cronin declined to directly comment on the Aug. 21 incident until the investigation has concluded, but he confirmed Blasi and the other officers involved would continue coming to work through the investigation. I cannot fathom how that could happen. In these conversations, Sergeant Blasi expressed his love for Tiburon and described the deep connection he developed during his time serving the community, Chanis wrote in a message to residents. That report led to 72 Philadelphia officers placed on administrative duty, of whom 13 were fired. He opened the store this past February and says it's not unusual for them to work late into the night. Maybe this happened to us because we can bring this out and make sure we have these conversations in our homes and with our families and loved ones and members of community and create something positive thats going to make Tiburon better for all of us, she said. CNN values your feedback 1. I have a problem with you guys being here so late and you not telling me why, Madfes says. Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. I think of all of the very late nights I have worked in those offices and never once did the police come by to see who was there as I sat at my desk clearly visible in the window, she wrote in an citizen complaint to Cronin that was shared with The Ark. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. It came from knowing that in one split second they could end someones life.. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. The investigation needs to go further than just this incident at Yema, said Adjani, a friend of the store owners. VIDEO: Berkeley mom films confrontation with white man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. If this is your store, put the key in the door, Blasi can be heard saying. Your email address will not be published. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. As the town of Tiburon deals with a controversy involving the Police Department and a Black-owned business, Police Chief Michael Cronin announced on Tuesday that he will retire, according to. Please enter valid email address to continue. , and a business friend, all of whom are Black, were at their store late at night counting inventory, according to a post on YEMAs Instagram account. Officers from both the Tiburon and Belvedere police departments arrived that August 2020 night around 1 a.m., when Khalif, Awash and a friend were stocking clothes at the upscale boutique on . But this goes to show that when people come together good things can happen.. A Tiburon police sergeant was found dead at the department's headquarters of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said Tuesday. It sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the officers conduct. Meanwhile, Awash estimated she has been stopped in her car three to five times over the past year and a half by the same police officer. Awash said other business owners work late at night and pointed to portraits of the couple that are clearly visible through the storefront window. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A sixth Memphis officer was fired . Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks called their behavior unacceptable and issued a public apology, and she and Belvederes mayor each apologized personally to Khalif and Awash. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Khalif said he wasnt particularly impressed with that statement. Then finally, the cop decided to come knock on our store door. Yema's wife says the officer had his hand on his gun. The department is open to the public. Reporter Hannah Weikel covers the city of Belvedere, as well as crime, courts and public safety issues on the Tiburon Peninsula. Fredericks said Cronin is planning a department-wide racial-bias training for late next month, which has been in the works since the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis in May, which led to widespread protests and mounting calls to end racial injustice and police brutality. It just felt like it was going to progress into something ugly., Khalif called the fact that the situation was diffused by a white neighbor yelling down to vouch for him the icing on the cake., A Black man cannot be in this space in this particular hour and say, Im OK, no need to be talking to you, move along. A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. Khalif said he was entitled to be in the store, had no obligation to identify himself and accused police of being suspicious because the store occupants were Black. Khalif becomes increasingly frustrated as Blasis requirement shifts: Did you identify yourself? A video depicting Tiburon police officers in heated exchange with the owner of the towns only Black-owned business while working late in his downtown shop has sparked outrage in the community. At the conclusion of the investigation, the findings will be presented to her and the rest of the Tiburon Town Council. Some days we have to work late. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. Critics of Khalif say he was argumentative and antagonizing the officers from the start, and that he could have just showed his ID and quickly ended the incident. Thank you sir, thats all I needed to know. The heated exchange, which began shortly after 1 a.m. Aug. 21, was partially recorded from inside the store by Khalifs friend while his partner and store co-founder, Hawi Awash, stood back from the door. The video which has been viewed more than 30,000 times on the stores Instagram page and shared more than 750 times on its Facebook page triggered an overwhelming community response of concern and outrage, including hundreds of comments on online neighborhood forum Nextdoor.com. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. Yema Protest Speech following the incident at his storefront on August 29th. Khalif and Awash say they had already seen the car circle the block three to four times before it stopped outside the shop, where they say it sat for about 15 minutes before the start of the town-released body-cam footage and that they had anticipated what was about to happen next. Ultimately, I sign off on every hire for the town, Chanis said. On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. Thursday the City of Tiburon and City of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting about an incident where officers questioned a Black business owner, who was working late in his store last week. Michael Blasi, was posted by Khalif to social media later Aug. 21. The officers immediately left the store. As Madfes approaches the store, Khalif, Awash and the friend can be seen inside at the checkout counter, apparently talking with each other. In the video, Blasi eventually says Khalif should be grateful that the officers are looking out for his shop. Where people know me? Blasi was one of four sheriffs deputies involved in a wrongful death lawsuit after Cary Grime was arrested in 2003 for public intoxication in Novato. A Tiburon police sergeant has resigned following a confrontation with a Black merchant that critics say stemmed from racial profiling. Khalif posted the video to Instagram. The recording shows a Tiburon officer, identified as supervising Sgt. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. As the recorded interaction passes the 5-minute mark, a neighbor farther down Main Street came out onto his balcony and yelled at the officers that Khalif was the owner of the store. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. Khalif, a resident for nearly 10 years, says hes been stopped while walking home and had to prove that he lives in Tiburon. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. The incident was recorded by Yema Khalifs wife and business partner Hawi Awash from inside their clothing store Yema on Main Street around 1 a.m. Friday. We are not interested in blanket apologies that have no honesty and truth and actionable things that will prevent a situation like this from happening to the next Black man, he said. It is unclear whether or not the police received a 911 call that prompted their presence at YEMA late that night. Tiburons Hank Easom was locally renowned sailor, After earthquakes, Tiburon resident seeks aid for native Turkey, Six vying for interim seat on Tiburon Town Council, Former mayor and longtime volunteer named Belvedere Citizen of the Year, Study details threat of water from below in combatting sea rise, Residents sound off, urge action at Belvedere coyote forum, Angel Island ferry to be states first all-electric short-run ferry, Angel Island honored for effort to turn historic hospital into museum, 2022 The Ark, AMMI Publishing Co. Inc. | 1550 Tiburon Blvd. TIBURON, Calif. (KGO) -- On Thursday night, a four-hour, heated virtual community meeting took place over an incident that happened in the small North Bay city of Tiburon, California. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. Reach her at 415-944-4627. ", Others responded with different views, saying that officers were just doing their job. 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